Test Details

• Discipline:

  Biochemistry

  Biochemistry

• Specimen Container Adult:

  Serum (SST or plain tube)

  Serum (SST or plain tube)

• Specimen Container Paediatric:

  Serum (SST or plain tube)

  Serum (SST or plain tube)

• Minimum Volume Adult:

  1 mL blood

  1 mL blood

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  0.5 mL blood

  0.5 mL blood

• Sample Stability:

  Unseparated sample: day of collection

  Separated sample:
  at +15° to +25°C: 14 days
  at +2° to +8°C: 14 days
  at -20°C: 1 year

  Unseparated sample: day of collection

  Separated sample:
  at +15° to +25°C: 14 days
  at +2° to +8°C: 14 days
  at -20°C: 1 year

• Reference Ranges:

  up to 4 weeks: 3.4 - 6.0 mmol/L
  4w - 1y: 3.5 - 5.7 mmol/L
  1y - 16y: 3.5 - 5.0 mmol/L
  16y and over: 3.5 - 5.3 mmol/L

  up to 4 weeks: 3.4 - 6.0 mmol/L
  4w - 1y: 3.5 - 5.7 mmol/L
  1y - 16y: 3.5 - 5.0 mmol/L
  16y and over: 3.5 - 5.3 mmol/L

• Factors Affecting Result:

  Spurious hyperkalaemia may be caused by pre analytical factors:

  Sample haemolysis, delay in sample centrifugation, sample contamination with K-EDTA or K-Oxalate. Haematological conditions such as t...

  Spurious hyperkalaemia may be caused by pre analytical factors:

  Sample haemolysis, delay in sample centrifugation, sample contamination with K-EDTA or K-Oxalate. Haematological conditions such as thrombocytosis and leukocytosis may cause spurious hyperkaleamia due to potassium leakage during clotting process.

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• Other Info:

  Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

• Routine Contact Name:

  Duty Biochemist

• Routine Telephone:

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

• Routine Email:

  nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net